Colorado
It's hard to beat what the Rockies have to offer. A plethora of world-class skiing in the winter, and all the hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and rafting you could hope for in the summer. Looking for a challenge?Maybe try your hand at one of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks (there's somewhere between 53 and 58, depending who you ask).
Top Spots in and near Colorado
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Buena Vista, Colorado
Hope Pass via Willis Gulch
5.08.75 mi / 3297 ft gainHope Pass is accessed from the Willis Gulch trailhead about 25 miles outside of Leadville, Colorado. To get to the trail head, follow Highway 24 East for about 16 miles until you arrive at the junction for Highway 82. Turn right and follow Highway 82 for about 8.3 miles. You will see a sign on th...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Photograph Cottonwood Lake, CO
0.1 mi / 1 ft gainWherever you are in Colorado, turn your route towards Buena Vista in South West Colorado - you will not be disappointed. To start, Buena Vista is a really cool town with great places to eat and visit. So make sure you check out the city before heading up Cottonwood Pass. When you are ready to hea...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Winter Hike to Loch Vale
4.05.53 mi / 1093 ft gainThis winter adventure begins at the popular Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure you arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly! We started the hike with our microspikes on and carried our snowshoes. The park ranger informed us snowshoes may be necessary in som...Read more -
Parshall, Colorado
Snowshoe Butler Gulch
5 mi / 1500 ft gainIn fall, winter and spring, the trail is covered in snow, which makes it ideal for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. The trail becomes indistinguishable after the first mile or two, but usually you can follow previous skiers' tracks up the mountainside.What you miss in wildflowers or mine sight...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Hike to Thunder Lake
11.53 mi / 2188 ft gainStarting at the often-busy Wild Basin TH, the trail passes through dense forests as it follows the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River through the southernmost section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail passes alongside the small Copeland Falls before continuing west towards Calypso Casca...Read more -
Dillon, Colorado
Backcountry Snowshoe and Ski Paradise
5.07 mi / 1700 ft gainA popular wildflower hike in summer, Herman Gulch is arguably even prettier covered in snow. The north-south trail offers views of the impressive Mount Sniktau to the south and Pettingell Peak to the north--with much to see along the way. Officially, the trail weaves in and out of the forest and ...Read more -
Cañon City, Colorado
Royal Gorge Bridge
3.53.3 miThe Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is located in Canon City which is about an hour outside Colorado Springs. Once you get there, it's a $26 entrance fee per person. The park is dog and family friendly. You can walk across the bridge, take the gondola, or zip line across. Taking the gondola and of c...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ute Trail to Ute Rock
4.71.75 mi / 1122 ft gainThis shady trail of switchbacks ascends steadily (over a thousand feet in under a mile) to a rock outcropping at 9,185 feet. Yes, you can expect your heart to be pounding and to be huffing and puffing as you climb Ute Trail. But the view of Aspen that rewards you is spectacular. The trail is pre...Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Hike Rustler's Gulch
5.09 mi / 1748 ft gainFrom Crested Butte, continue 6 miles past the town of Gothic to Rustler's Gulch Road. Turn right on the road, cross the East River to get to a small parking area near the river. If you don't have 4WD, park here and hike another 1/2 mile to the trailhead. It's a pretty steep hike. If you do have 4...Read more -
Cedaredge, Colorado
Run the Crag Crest Loop
4.310.4 mi / 1500 ft gainThe Crag Crest Trail is a 10-mile loop that takes runners over one of the highest points on Grand Mesa. When traveling in a clockwise direction, the trail traverses a narrow rocky ridge for 5-miles before descending into the dense pine forest below. Grand Mesa's trails are less maintained due to ...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Watch the Sunrise at Guanella Pass
5.01 mi / 100 ft gainFrom Denver, take i70 to Georgetown and simply follow the signs through town to the top. This pass can also be accessed from the south via US Highway 285 at the town of Grant. Guanella Pass is closed in the winter, typically from about the last week in November through the last week of May. Watch...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Rainbow Lake via Tenmile Recreation Path
5.03.24 mi / 322 ft gainYou can do this hike two different ways: 1- Start from the Peaks Trail Trailhead to Rainbow Lake for an out and back hike, distance is a little over 2 miles roundtrip. 2- Start along the Summit County Recreational Trail (as marked on this map), also out and back hike, total distance just over...Read more -
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Crater Lake in the South San Juan Wilderness
9.17 mi / 2133 ft gainHoliday weekends can be frustrating for solitude seekers. The extra day to play always seems to be challenged by the expected crowds of competition for your sought after spots. Fortunately for those of us who prefer quieter pastures, Colorado's 3.5+ million acres of wilderness still hold plenty ...Read more -
Kremmling, Colorado
Lake Agnes
3.02.37 mi / 640 ft gainIn State Forest State Park, you start at Agnes Cabin, a historic cabin built in 1925. Because of its rustic architecture, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. It is a one-story, lodge pole pine log cabin. The cabin is empty, bu...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross
5.015 mi / 5210 ft gainThe Halo Ridge is by no means the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Holy Cross, but it is definitely the most interesting and scenic. You'll begin at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) trailhead, but instead of the popular Halfmoon Trail, you will start on the Fall Creek Trail as it leaves the campground.T...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Hike to Adams Falls
4.80.77 mi / 125 ft gainAdams Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the Grand Lake area, and one of the easiest. If you are just hiking to the falls, you will not need to bring much with you besides a camera, due to the distance. If you plan to venture past the falls, pack accordingly. Once you park in the trail...Read more
